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VATICAN : POPE GOSPEL MESSAGE OF LOVE - GREETS NEW PATRIARCH -
ASIA : PAKISTAN : 9 KILLED IN SUICIDE ATTACK - CHRISTIANS PRAYAFRICA : EGYPT : DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST CONSTITUTION
VATICAN RADIO REPORT
At a time when the Middle East is so unstable and prone to violence, “it is increasingly urgent that the disciples of Christ offer an authentic witness of their unity, so that the world may believe the Gospel message of love, peace and reconciliation.” These are the words of Pope Benedict XVI, in a message of fraternal greetings in Christ’s love, to the new Greek-Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, John X Yazigi. The new Patriarch was elected on December 17 by the Holy Synod, meeting at the monastery of Our Lady of Balamand, north of Beirut. He succeeds Patriarch Ignatius IV Hazim, who died December 5 at the age of 92 years.“We have a responsibility,” says the Pope, “to continue together along our path to show in a more visible way the spiritual reality of communion which, although still incomplete, already unites us.”
Benedict XVI expresses his hope that the relationship between Greek-Orthodox Patriarchate and the Catholic Church might continue to develop through forms of fruitful cooperation and ongoing efforts to resolve the issues that still divide the two communities. He especially recommended active and constructive participation in the work of the Commission Joint International theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church as a whole.
The Pope, finally, assures the new Patriarch of his prayers, and asks Christ to bring healing to those who are victims of violence in the Middle East and to inspire acts of peace.
SHARED FROM RADIO VATICANA
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USA : SINS COMMITTED AGAINST CHILDREN - MEDITATION ON HOLY INNOCENTS
Innocents, A Meditation on the Sins Committed Against Children
ARCHDIOCESE OF WASHINGTON DC RELEASE:
BY MSGR. CHARLES POPE
Exactly two weeks ago many young children lost their lives in a cruel and horrifying shooting in Connecticut. I do not need to remind any of you of the detail. They are seared in our memory.
Exactly two weeks ago many young children lost their lives in a cruel and horrifying shooting in Connecticut. I do not need to remind any of you of the detail. They are seared in our memory.
Today, we observe the feast of the Holy Innocents, a feast commemorating the young children, of even younger age who were cruelly murdered by the paranoid and crazed killer known as Herod “the Great.” So paranoid was he that others might usurp or limit his power that he killed three of his own sons, and his wife. He ruthlessly killed many others as well. As his own death drew near, according to Josephus, Herod decreed that in order that the nation properly mourn his death, one member of each family should be killed in his honor, and thus the mourning in all Israel for him would be sincere. His last and final act as King was to rise from his death bed and sentence to death a group of Jewish zealots who had removed an Eagle he place over the entrance of the temple. They had thought the image a desecration. Having killed them, he himself died (in bed) the next day.
Herod was a cruel tyrant and a ruthless and paranoid killer. Calling him “the Great” can only be a reference to his skill in architecture and building and to his headship of the equally cruel Herodian dynasty.
Of the young killer two weeks ago we know little, other than that he was a troubled young man, likely mentally ill. And while we cannot compare him to Herod, the deaths he wrought cannot but make this year’s observance of Holy Innocents more profound and poignant.
I was asked in a recent television interview if the killings did not somehow diminish this year’s celebration of Christmas. To the contrary, I thought. While we moderns like to be sentimental about Christmas, the first Christmas, the biblical one, was anything but pleasant and sentimental: a 70 mile walk for a pregnant woman in the ninth month of her pregnancy due to a census conducted by an oppressive government; no room in the inn; Jesus born in a filthy and stinking stable, a feeding tough for a crib; and then the tragic murder of the innocents that followed; and then a flight by night to Egypt. Nothing cozy here, it was a crisis at Christmas, no delicacies to savor, only disasters to be endured.
Yet here Christ was born and found, in the midst of crisis and disaster. More than ever, the Christmas message is relevant. For despite our cruelty and despite the crises of this world, Christ is still to be found. He was born in one of the most crisis-torn regions of the world. He bids us to find him in just these sorts of places and times, as if to say, there is still hope: The mercies of the Lord are not exhausted, his compassion is not spent; it is renewed each morning (Lam 3:22-23).
That he was willing to be born in such circumstances is clear, and from this we see his mercy.
But from our perspective he should not have to have been born like this. And thus our call to repentance remains. This crisis at Christmas was our human doing, our insensitivity. As Scripture says, He came unto his own, and his own received him not (Jn 1:11). That’s us the scriptures are talking about, No room in the inn.
And while Herod may be said to have acted alone, we cannot evade all responsibility, for to some extent we all participate in making and maintaining a cruel world where such ignominies routinely happen.
Children have much to suffer in this world of our collective making. And while not all of us are equally guilty of contributing to the suffering of children, none of us are wholly innocent either, if for no other reason than our silence.
Consider that most children born today are no longer born into the stable and lasting family units they deserve with a father and mother committed to one another till death do them part.
The problems begin with fornication, which is rampant in our culture. And while most do not think of this as a sin of injustice, it is. It is so because of what it does primarily to children.
The fact is many children are conceived of fornication. Tragically most of these children who are thus conceived are outright murdered by abortion. 85% of abortions are performed on unmarried women. And for all the vaunted declarations of how contraception makes every baby a wanted baby, nothing could be further from the truth. Abortion has skyrocketed with the availability of contraception. This is because the problem is not fertility, it is lust, promiscuity, fornication and adultery. And contraception fuels these problems by further enabling them. The promises associated with contraception are lies, it does the opposite of what it promises.
Thus fornication and the contraceptive mentality (founded on lies) cause grave harm to children, beginning with death, in huge numbers. And the children, conceived of fornication who do (thankfully) survive are, nevertheless subjected to the injustice of usually being born into irregular situations. There are single mothers, some single fathers, and many other irregularities.
Add to this picture the large number of divorced families. And make no mistake, these shredded families cause great hardships and pain for children that include: children be shuttled back and forth between different household each week, having to meet “daddy’s new girlfriend” or mommy’s new “live-in boy-friend” and all sorts of other family chaos. Blended families also dramatically increase the likelihood of sexual and emotional abuse, since legal relationships seldom have the built-in protections of natural relationships.
All of this misbehavior, individual and cultural, harms children. Not being raised in a traditional marriage dramatically increases a child’s likelihood of suffering many other social ills, starting with poverty.
The chief cause of poverty in this country, is the single motherhood, absent fatherhood.
71% of poor families are not married.
Children of single parent homes are 2 times more likely to be arrested for juvenile crime,
2 times more likely be treated for emotional and behavioral problems,
Twice as likely to be suspended or expelled from school,
33% more likely to drop out of school,
3 times more likely to end up in jail by age 30.
50% more likely to live in poverty as adults,
And twice as likely to have a child outside of marriage themselves. [*]
71% of poor families are not married.
Children of single parent homes are 2 times more likely to be arrested for juvenile crime,
2 times more likely be treated for emotional and behavioral problems,
Twice as likely to be suspended or expelled from school,
33% more likely to drop out of school,
3 times more likely to end up in jail by age 30.
50% more likely to live in poverty as adults,
And twice as likely to have a child outside of marriage themselves. [*]
Add to the burdens children must experience, the new trend of same sex adoption. Never mind that it is best for the psychological development of a child to have a father and mother, a male and female influence. No, what is best and just children must be sacrificed on the altar of political correctness. Same sex couples must now be given equal consideration under law (in many states) to heterosexual couples. It’s the adults and their rights that seem to matter most here, what is best for children is quite secondary.
Our culture has also sinned against children by sexualizing them, by robbing them of their innocence at an earlier and earlier age, by targeting them directly in marketing campaigns, and exposing them to all sorts of political and social indoctrination and experimentation in the schools that they should be spared. We also fail to properly correct and admonish children in many ways.
Again, not all of us do all these things personally and to the same degree. We should further note that abortion is complex and some women have recourse to it out of despair, others are pressured and so forth. But the point emphasized in this reflection is that all of us do contribute to the sort of culture that is increasingly poisonous and unjust to children if not downright deadly.
If nothing else, too many of (starting with clergy) are far too silent about the sins of injustice committed against children. Many remain quite silent while the bad behaviors adults pile up in our culture. Our silence is largely the product of fearing to offend other adults. Meanwhile children suffer, and the injustices pile higher, beginning with the body count of aborted babies and watered by the tears of surviving children who have had much to suffer.
Something to think about on the feast of the Holy Innocents.
I put the following video together to honor these young martyrs. The musical setting is by Michael Haydn of the hymn for the Feast of the Holy Innocents: Salvete Flores Martyrum – It is from his Vesperae In F for Equal Voices, Soli and Orchestra.The singers are the The Group singing is Collegium Instrumentale Brugense. This music is available at iTunes. The Latin text of this ancient hymn is quite beautiful. I produce here the Latin text followed by a fairly literal translation. I would like to call your attention to the second verse and a very charming detail. That verse described these young, two year old martyrs and holding palm branches (the symbol of martyrdom) but as they hold them they play with them, in the way a young child will often fiddle with palm branches in Church. Beautiful and so very human!
Salvete flores martyrum, – Hail Martyr Flowers
quos lucis ipso in limine – On the very threshold of the dawn (of life)
Christi insecutor sustulit – Christ’s persecutor destroyed (you)
ceu turbo nascentes rosas. – like the whirlwind does the budding roses.
Vos prima Christi victima, – You Christ’s firstfruits
grex immolatorum tener, – A flock of tender sacrificial victims
aram sub ipsam simplices – right up by the very altar
palma et coronis luditis. – now play with your palms and crowns
Iesu, tibi sit gloria, – Jesus to you be glory
qui natus es de Virgine, – who were born of the Virgin
cum Patre et almo Spiritu, – with the Father and loving Spirit
in sempiterna saecula. Amen. – unto to eternal ages. Amen.
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF WASHINGTON BY: MSGR. CHARLES POPE
Salvete flores martyrum, – Hail Martyr Flowers
quos lucis ipso in limine – On the very threshold of the dawn (of life)
Christi insecutor sustulit – Christ’s persecutor destroyed (you)
ceu turbo nascentes rosas. – like the whirlwind does the budding roses.
Vos prima Christi victima, – You Christ’s firstfruits
grex immolatorum tener, – A flock of tender sacrificial victims
aram sub ipsam simplices – right up by the very altar
palma et coronis luditis. – now play with your palms and crowns
Iesu, tibi sit gloria, – Jesus to you be glory
qui natus es de Virgine, – who were born of the Virgin
cum Patre et almo Spiritu, – with the Father and loving Spirit
in sempiterna saecula. Amen. – unto to eternal ages. Amen.
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF WASHINGTON BY: MSGR. CHARLES POPE
CATHOLIC MOVIES - WATCH ST. RITA - PART 12
IN HONOR OF
THE YEAR OF FAITH - JCE NEWS WILL BE SHOWING SOME OF THE TOP CATHOLIC MOVIES OF
ALL TIME. TUNE IN FOR THE NEXT PART OF ST. RITA- TOMORROW
EUROPE : PRAYER FOR THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY
BISHOPS CONFERENCE OF IRELAND
RELEASE
The Bishops Conference of Ireland has released this prayer for the Feast of the Holy Family on Dec. 30, 2012
The Bishops Conference of Ireland has released this prayer for the Feast of the Holy Family on Dec. 30, 2012
AMERICA : GUNS FOR GROCERIES - LA POLICE EXCHANGE WEAPONS FOR GIFT CARDS
POLICE in Los Angeles, California, USA are offering money in exchange for weapons. In return for weapons the police are providing grocery gift cards some valued at $100 or more. The police have taken in 1500 guns so far during this drive. Long lines of cars waited to surrender their guns to the police. The officials kept in mind the shooting in Connecticut which killed 20 and 6 adults. The Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa, said, "All of us are still mourning the tradegy at Newtown, Connecticut." The guns can be handed in with no questions asked. The program regularly takes place in May but was held on Dec. 26 in remebrance of the victims of Sandy Hook.
AFRICA : EGYPT : DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST CONSTITUTION
ASIA NEWS IT REPORT
Hamdeen Sabahi, Amr Moussa and Mohammed ElBaradei, founders of the National Salvation Front, are accused of incitement against the state and betraying the ideals of the Revolution because they led mass protests against the Islamist constitution. Controversial Morsi-appointed Public Prosecutor Talaat Ibrahim Abdallah orders the inquiry.
Cairo (AsiaNews) - Egypt's public prosecutor, Talaat Ibrahim Abdallah, has ordered an inquiry into the leaders of the National Salvation Front, Hamdeen Sabahi, Amr Moussa and Mohammed ElBaradei. Appointed by President Mohammed Morsi, Abdallah wants the three opposition leaders, the last two former presidential candidates against Morsi, investigated on charges of "incitement" to overthrow the government and high treason. All three have led mass demonstrations against Mohammed Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood and Egypt's new Qur'an-based constitution.
The legal action against the three main pro-democracy leaders comes amid criticism against the constitutional referendum, deemed invalid because of a low turnout (one third of the electorate) and numerous cases of electoral fraud by Islamists.
Unconcerned by the prevailing atmosphere of tensions, President Morsi signed the constitution on 26 December. Shortly, he will also announce the official date for new parliamentary elections.
The decision by the pro-Islamist prosecutor is further exacerbating tensions between Egyptians in favour of a secular state and defenders of a Sharia-based government, bringing the country that much closer to a civil war.
In an article published today al-Ahram online, some diplomats close to the opposition said that they had come under pressures from their superiors who want to silence all criticism against Morsi.
According to one diplomat, Egypt is now turning into a dictatorship. "I was summoned into the office of the assistant (foreign) minister," he said. The latter "asked me to be 'careful' and not to confuse my role as a diplomat with that of an activist." Another official "was told that his overt opposition to the president would undermine his chances to go a good post". (S.C)
SHARED FROM ASIA NEWS IT
Hamdeen Sabahi, Amr Moussa and Mohammed ElBaradei, founders of the National Salvation Front, are accused of incitement against the state and betraying the ideals of the Revolution because they led mass protests against the Islamist constitution. Controversial Morsi-appointed Public Prosecutor Talaat Ibrahim Abdallah orders the inquiry.
Cairo (AsiaNews) - Egypt's public prosecutor, Talaat Ibrahim Abdallah, has ordered an inquiry into the leaders of the National Salvation Front, Hamdeen Sabahi, Amr Moussa and Mohammed ElBaradei. Appointed by President Mohammed Morsi, Abdallah wants the three opposition leaders, the last two former presidential candidates against Morsi, investigated on charges of "incitement" to overthrow the government and high treason. All three have led mass demonstrations against Mohammed Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood and Egypt's new Qur'an-based constitution.
The legal action against the three main pro-democracy leaders comes amid criticism against the constitutional referendum, deemed invalid because of a low turnout (one third of the electorate) and numerous cases of electoral fraud by Islamists.
Unconcerned by the prevailing atmosphere of tensions, President Morsi signed the constitution on 26 December. Shortly, he will also announce the official date for new parliamentary elections.
The decision by the pro-Islamist prosecutor is further exacerbating tensions between Egyptians in favour of a secular state and defenders of a Sharia-based government, bringing the country that much closer to a civil war.
In an article published today al-Ahram online, some diplomats close to the opposition said that they had come under pressures from their superiors who want to silence all criticism against Morsi.
According to one diplomat, Egypt is now turning into a dictatorship. "I was summoned into the office of the assistant (foreign) minister," he said. The latter "asked me to be 'careful' and not to confuse my role as a diplomat with that of an activist." Another official "was told that his overt opposition to the president would undermine his chances to go a good post". (S.C)
SHARED FROM ASIA NEWS IT
ASIA : PAKISTAN : 9 KILLED IN SUICIDE ATTACK - CHRISTIANS PRAY
UCAN REPORT
Suicide attack leaves nine dead as Christian community issues holiday cautions
Suicide attack leaves nine dead as Christian community issues holiday cautions
Sectarian violence has claimed thousands of lives in
Pakistan since 2001
The Christian community in Peshawar has expressed
grief over the killing of a provincial minister in a Taliban suicide attack
yesterday and has warned churches to curb planned Christmas
activities.
Senior Minister Bashir Ahmad Bilour, 69, of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province was killed on Saturday along with eight others by a suicide bomber. Eighteen others were injured in the attack.
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan claimed responsibility for the attack and warned that others who opposed the Taliban would be targeted.
Bilour was one of the most outspoken critics of the Taliban in Pakistan and the highest-profile assassination victim in recent months. Christian and other minority communities in northwest Pakistan have long considered him an important political ally.
The provincial government announced three days of mourning and a Christmas event at the Peshawar governor’s house has been cancelled.
Church of Pakistan Bishop Humphrey Peters of Peshawar requested that all churches turn off their outdoor lights and cancel all public parties on Christmas Eve.
“[Bilour] was so close to the Church and often asked us to pray for him and the country amid the war on terror,” Bishop Peters said.
“We have lost a broad-minded politician who had good relations with the minority communities in this Taliban-infested region.”
Pastor Ejaz Gill of the All Saints Church, located near the historic Qissa Khawani bazaar where Bilour was killed, said the minister made key contributions to improving the educational and health sectors in the province.
“He funded several developmental projects in mission schools and a hospital. We are deeply depressed.”
The killing comes just months ahead of planned national elections.
About 36,000 people have been killed by violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) since 2001, according to local media reports.
More than 1,000 schools have also been destroyed, along with an estimated 90 percent of the area’s railway infrastructure.
SHARED FROM UCAN NEWS
Senior Minister Bashir Ahmad Bilour, 69, of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province was killed on Saturday along with eight others by a suicide bomber. Eighteen others were injured in the attack.
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan claimed responsibility for the attack and warned that others who opposed the Taliban would be targeted.
Bilour was one of the most outspoken critics of the Taliban in Pakistan and the highest-profile assassination victim in recent months. Christian and other minority communities in northwest Pakistan have long considered him an important political ally.
The provincial government announced three days of mourning and a Christmas event at the Peshawar governor’s house has been cancelled.
Church of Pakistan Bishop Humphrey Peters of Peshawar requested that all churches turn off their outdoor lights and cancel all public parties on Christmas Eve.
“[Bilour] was so close to the Church and often asked us to pray for him and the country amid the war on terror,” Bishop Peters said.
“We have lost a broad-minded politician who had good relations with the minority communities in this Taliban-infested region.”
Pastor Ejaz Gill of the All Saints Church, located near the historic Qissa Khawani bazaar where Bilour was killed, said the minister made key contributions to improving the educational and health sectors in the province.
“He funded several developmental projects in mission schools and a hospital. We are deeply depressed.”
The killing comes just months ahead of planned national elections.
About 36,000 people have been killed by violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) since 2001, according to local media reports.
More than 1,000 schools have also been destroyed, along with an estimated 90 percent of the area’s railway infrastructure.
SHARED FROM UCAN NEWS
Holy Innocents
Feast: December 28
 Information:
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Our Divine Redeemer was
persecuted by the world as soon as he made his appearance in it. For he was no
sooner born than it declared war against him. Herod, in persecuting Christ, was
an emblem of Satan and of the world. That ambitious and jealous prince had
already sacrificed to his fears and suspicions the most illustrious part of his
council, his virtuous wife Mariamne, with her mother Alexandra, the two sons he
had by her, and the heirs to his crown, and all his best friends. Hearing from
the magians who were come from distant countries to find and adore Christ that
the Messias, or spiritual king of the Jews, foretold by the prophets, was born
among them, he trembled lest he was come to take his temporal kingdom from him.
So far are the thoughts of carnal and worldly men from the ways of God, and so
strangely do violent passions blind and alarm them. The tyrant was disturbed
beyond measure and resolved to take away the life of this child, as if he could
have defeated the decrees of heaven. He had recourse to his usual arts of policy
and dissimulation, and hoped to receive intelligence of the child by feigning a
desire himself to adore him. But God laughed at the folly of his short-sighted
prudence, and admonished the magians not to return to him. St. Joseph was
likewise ordered by an angel to take the child and his mother, and to fly into
Egypt. Is our Blessed Redeemer, the Lord of the universe, to be banished as soon
as born I What did not he suffer I What did not his pious parents suffer on his
account in so tedious and long a journey, and during a long abode in Egypt,
where they were entirely strangers and destitute of all succour under the
hardships of extreme poverty I It is an ancient tradition of the Greeks,
mentioned by Sozomen, St. Athanasius, and others, that at his entrance into
Egypt all the idols of that kingdom fell to the ground, which literally verified
the prediction of the prophet Isaiah. Mary and Joseph were not informed by the
angel how long their exile would be continued; by which we are taught to leave
all to divine providence, acquiescing with confidence and simplicity in the
adorable and ever holy will of Him who disposes all things in infinite goodness,
sanctity; and wisdom.
Herod, finding that he had been deluded by the magians, was transported with rage and anxious fears. To execute his scheme of killing the Messias, the desired of all nations and the expectation of Israel, he formed the bloody resolution of murdering all the male children in Bethlehem and the neighbouring territory which were not above two years of age. Soldiers were forthwith sent to execute these cruel orders, who, on a sudden, surrounded the town of Bethlehem and massacred all the male children in that and the adjacent towns and villages which had been born in the last two years. This more than brutish barbarity, which would almost have surpassed belief had not Herod been the contriver and ambition the incentive, was accompanied with such shrieks of mothers and children that St. Matthew applies to it a prophecy of Jeremiah, which may be understood in part to relate more immediately to the Babylonish captivity, but which certainly received the most eminent completion at this time: "A voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and great mourning: Rachel bewailing her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not." Rama is a village not far from this town, and the sepulchre of Rachel was in a field belonging to it. The slaughter also was probably extended into the neighbouring tribe of Benjamin, which descended from Rachel. The Ethiopians in their liturgy, and the Greeks in their calendar, count fourteen thousand children massacred on this occasion; but that number exceeds all bounds, nor is it confirmed by any authority of weight. Innocent victims became the spotless Lamb of God. And how great a happiness was such a death to these glorious martyrs! They deserved to die for Christ, though they were not yet able to know or invoke his name. They were the flowers and the first fruits of his martyrs, and triumphed over the world without having ever known it or experienced its dangers. They just received the benefit of life to make a sacrifice of it to God and to purchase by it eternal life. How few perhaps of these children, if they had lived, would have escaped the dangers of the world which, by its maxims and example, bear everything down before it like an impetuous torrent! What snares, what sins, what miseries were they preserved from by this grace! With what songs of praise and love do they not to all eternity thank their Saviour, and this his infinite mercy to them! Their ignorant, foolish mothers did not know this, and therefore they wept without comfort. So we often lament as misfortunes many accidents which in the designs of heaven are the greatest mercies. In Herod we see how blind and how cruel ambition is, which is ready to sacrifice everything, even Jesus Christ, to its views. The tyrant lived not many days longer to enjoy the kingdom which he feared so much to lose. About the time of our Lord's nativity he fell sick, and as his distemper sensibly increased, despair and remorse followed him and made him insupportable both to himself and others. The innumerable crimes which he had committed were the tortures of his mind, whilst a slow imposthume, inch by inch, gnawed and consumed his bowels, feeding principally upon one of the great guts, though it extended itself over all the rest and, corroding the flesh, made a breach in the lower belly and became a sordid ulcer, out of which worms issued in swarms, and lice were also bred in his flesh. A fever violently burnt him within, though outwardly it was scarce perceptible; and he was tormented with a canine appetite which no victuals could satisfy. Such an offensive smell exhaled from his body as shocked his best friends; and uncommon "witchings and vellications upon the fibrous and membraneous parts of his body, like sharp razors, cut and wounded him within; and the pain thence arising overpowered him at length with cold sweats, tremblings, and convulsions. Antipater, in his dungeon, hearing in what a lamentable condition Herod lay, strongly solicited his jailer to set him at liberty, hoping to obtain the crown; but the officer acquainted Herod with the whole affair. The tyrant, groaning under the complication of his own distempers, upon this information vented his spleen by raving and beating his own head, and, calling one of his own guards, commanded him to go that instant and cut off Antipater's head. Not content with causing many to be put to barbarous deaths during the course of his malady, he commanded the Jews that were of the principal rank and quality to be shut up in a circus at Jericho, and gave orders to his sister Salome and her husband Alexas to have them all massacred as soon as he should have expired, saying that as the Jews heartily hated him, they would rejoice at his departure; but he would make a general mourning of the whole nation at his death. This circumstance is at least related by the Jewish historian Josephus. Herod died five days after he had put his son Antipater to death. Parents, pastors, and tutors are bound to make it their principal care that children, in their innocent age, be by piety and charity consecrated as pure holocausts to God. This is chiefly to be done by imprinting upon their minds the strongest sentiments of devotion, and by instructing them thoroughly in their catechism. We cannot entertain too high an idea of the merit and obligation of teaching God's little ones to know him, and the great and necessary truths which he has revealed to us. Without knowing him no one can love him or acquit himself of the most indispensable duties which he owes to his Creator. Children must be instructed in prayer and the principal articles of faith as soon as they attain to the use of reason, that they may be able to give him his first fruits by faith, hope, and love, as by the law of reason and religion they are bound to do. The understanding of little children is very weak, and is able only to discover small glimpses of light. Great art, experience, and earnestness are often required to manage and gradually increase these small rays, and to place therein whatever one would have the children comprehend. The solicitude and diligence of parents and pastors to instruct others in this sacred science ought not to lessen; neither must anyone regard the function as mean or contemptible. It is the very foundation of the Christian religion. Hence Pope Paul III, in a bull in which he recommends this employment, declares that "nothing is more fruitful or more profitable for the salvation of souls." No pastoral function is more indispensable, none more beneficial, and generally none more meritorious; we may add, or more sublime. For under a meaner exterior appearance, without pomp, ostentation, or show of learning or abilities, it joins the exercise of humility with the most zealous and most profitable function of the pastoral charge. Being painful and laborious, it is, moreover, an exercise of patience and penance. Neither can anyone think it beneath his parts or dignity. The great St. Austin, St. Chrysostom, St. Cyril, and other most learned doctors, popes, and bishops applied themselves with singular zeal and assiduity to this duty of catechizing children and all ignorant persons; this they thought a high branch of their dutyand the most useful and glorious employment of their learning and talents. What did the apostles travel over the world to do else? St. Paul said, "I am a debtor to the wise and to the unwise. We became little ones in the midst of you, as if a nurse would cherish her children; so desirous of you, that we would gladly have imparted to you not only the gospel of God, but even our own souls." Our Divine Lord himself made this the principal employment of his ministry. "The spirit of the Lord is upon me: he hath sent me to preach the gospel to the poor." He declared the pleasure he found in assisting that innocent age when he said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, for the kingdom of God is for such. And embracing them, and laying his hands upon them, he blessed them. IMAGE SOURCE: FACEBOOK Shared from: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/H/holyinnocents.asp#ixzz1hq2vADIK |
Matthew 2: 13 - 18 | |
| 13 | Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." |
| 14 | And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt, |
| 15 | and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt have I called my son." |
| 16 | Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men. |
| 17 | Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: |
| 18 | "A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more." |
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